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This smells like a ????. Perfect Irene. It smells interesting. Not good, not bad, just weird…hazelnut and honeybush and cherry and lapsang aren’t something I’d think to mix together. And steeped, it has that same perplexing aroma.

I suppose that’s accurate.

It’s actually really good. The honeybush and lapsang are sort of sweetly smoky, and the cherry gives a bit of a bright softness. Irene’s one of my favorite characters, and I’m glad I like this tea!

Ohkay. I’ve been impatiently waiting for this package all day. I’ve been hiding in my room because I was so tired after work – I won two contests and associate of the month, and that takes effort, especially for an introvert like me!

The people across the street are moving, so there have been big trucks going by all day. Each time I see one I check – is it UPS? No? Damn.

This time it was, and I raced downstairs to intercept the deliveryman before my mum or dad could… no need for them to know I’m buying more tea.

Smelled them all – they all smelled great. I honestly started with this one, even though the chai spice aroma was a bit overpowering and intimidating, because a friend of mine tried it and said she didn’t like it, and it was bitter. So this is me proving her wrong.

I immediately went for a macchiato with this. Why not a latte? Because for some reason “Mycroft Latte” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.

Steeped 2tsp/8oz, boiling water, 2 minutes. Added about 6oz milk and 3oz foam.

The first thing I taste is the cream, followed by the vanilla rooibos. I suppose there’s a hint of chocolate in there too. I don’t taste much chai, but that’s a-okay with me. (Leave the chai and spices for Moriarty.)

This is great, and I don’t regret owning a 3-oz bag of it at all. Probably not something I’d purchase again (so many teas, so little time!) but definitely not one I’m eager be rid of.

Edit: And because of all the foam on top, it sort of gives it that feeling of drinking whipped cream. No complaints here. I’m just going to sit here and rest my tired feet (no cushioning whatsoever in the shoes I wear to work, and yet they’re more comfortable than the ones with cushions. Go figure.) and listen to Underworld’s Olympic Ceremony opening song – it’s gorgeous. I love them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mec8GZkEpD4

Oh, I do love this. I received this in the last Steepster Select box.

I don’t feel like writing too much now, but it’s beautiful. It’s sweet and buttery and smooth. It has some of my favorite characteristics of the Dragonwell that I love, but with a little bit less of the vegetal.

This just might become my staple oolong.

Currently drinking this in pyramid bag form. Hot brewed, it’s good, but I don’t get much of the ginger or peach – just black tea.

Cold brewed 3 pyramid sachets for about 24oz of water, and the peach really comes out here. It’s sweet and soft.

Not something I’d purchase again, but it’s great iced.

Received a couple bags of this in a swap from someone (not on this site).

It’s okay. It’s a decent rooibos. It’s fairly unremarkable, but it’s okay on a lazy day.

It’s settled.

As soon as I get back to school, as soon as I have money, I’m buying myself a cake of this.

Beautiful Boy messaged me (he NEVER messages me!) and we’re listening to Les Preludes again – he missed it the first time around. I for my part am trying not to be overly depressing in chat… save that for my sourcebook.

It’s a beautiful piece. They pack three orchestras into a concert hall designed for one, and they have dancers that dance all around: in front, in the aisles, and on the roof. It’s always the same but there’s no need to change it.

And this tea compliments it perfectly.

Split open my sample of this today to make a few lattes. I don’t make them very often, because I’m lazy, but this is my third today… and I’ve started practicing latte art too! There was a heart in the foam here :)

Not sure if this should go under chance combinations or straight, but I mixed in a bit of lavender. I don’t like Earl Greys plain, but as an ingredient in other things I don’t mind them.

Sad night. Watched Interlochen’s Les Preludes webcast. Cried. Brought back so many memories. I probably go back to that night daily, the last time I was there, but I’ve forgotten what it was like, really.

But tea helps.

Rooibos Lemon Cloud – Adagio; Caramelized Pear – Art of Tea

Steeped the RLC, and decided to add some of the CP in.

It’s actually not bad. I added a bit of milk, and it kind of overpowers the pear, but it’s pretty good iced.

Damn, though, I’m going to need to stock up on that CP. It’s incredible.

Free sample from the last time I ordered. I waited to try it until I could get my camera/computer working together again… the card reader isn’t working anymore, which is annoying, but I suppose I’ll muddle through. Anyone want to chip into the Shell Buys A New Computer fund?

(crickets)

Onto the tea then. It’s a fairly light colored tisane, sort of like the inside of a pear! There’s a tartness to the flavor that I wouldn’t necessarily consider a pear. Looking at the ingredients, I see apple – that’s exactly it. It’s a decently authentic apple tea with pear at the finish of the sip.

I might like this more if it was marketed as apple-pear… when I expect pear, I expect pear. Especially compared with the Caramalized Pear from Art of Tea that recently came in Steepster Select, this just doesn’t cut it for me.

It is a good tea, though.

UPDATE: Oh, this shines on ice. Just noticed that David’s actually recommends it. The apple takes a backseat, and it’s all pear and vanilla. I’m considering buying some now.

Bye-bye, Paradise Found. I can’t say I’ll miss you.

I tried this hot. No dice. I brewed it hot, and poured it over ice. Still too sour. Finally, I’m cold-brewing the last of the tea. I used a bit less than I usually would (probably 3-4tsp for 24ish oz), and then steeped for somewhere around 8 hours.

It’s drinkable, actually. It’s sweeter and the hibiscus isn’t as overpowering. It still is overpowering, but it’s not as bad. What I really want to do is add either a touch of agave or simple syrup, but I don’t have agave and I didn’t feel like making any simple syrup, so I just had it straight.

Not one I’d order again, but should it ever cross my path, I’m glad I figured out how to enjoy it.